So I've been noticing recently that a soft whirring sound is coming from my clutch sometimes. The sound is only there when I throw the clutch in, and disappears immediately when I release the clutch. Another note, it doesn't seem to happen when the engine's cold, only when It's warm. Would I be right in suspecting a throw out bearing? I can't seem to think of anything else that would cause this, but would like a second opinion. BTW, it's a 2wd, 4 cyl.

 

sounds like a throwout bearing to me

 

i had a sound at one time that was kinda sounded like what you posted. went for a while then finally i couldn't even get in gear. turned out one of the springs had popped out of the clutch disk and was getting stuck between the fingers on the pressure plate.

 

the throwout bearing turns all the time, but the noise can be changed by modulating the pedal

if the noise is present with the clutch in (flywheel spinning and clutch stopped) and goes away when the clutch is released (flywheel spinning, clutch spinning) the pilot bearing is bad

 

Thanks. Now, any idea how hard it is to drop the transmission and get at that bearing? do I need any special equipment? I've got a standard set of hand tools (wrenches, sockets, pliers, etc...) but I do not have a transmission jack. can this be substituted with something else?

 

it can be done with simple hand tools. i didn't have a trans jack, just a floor jack. i dropped mine by myself, just needed some help getting it back in.

 

pulling the trans from these trucks is super easy even with hand tools

 

Most times the pilot bearings come right out with a pump of grease and a quick slap with the hand, or sticking your finger into them, but they can get stuck. I needed an internal bearing puller to get at mine but didn't have one at the time. I used my cordless dremel to get it out. It was siezed in there good. Now I have the Harbor Freight internal bearing puller and it's already paid for itself.



GB :)

 

did you need to lift the engine?

 

you drilled the bearing out?? that sounds like it would damage something else in that flywheel.

 

he probably cut the outer shell open to remove it. sounds like his was in the crank and not in the flywheel. 4.0's are in the flywheel and 3.0s and 4cyl are in the crank

 

if it's in the crank (yes, i have the 2.3l 4 cyl.), does that mean the flywheel has to be pulled to get at it?